Alarm-stop for clocks.



F. R. ALIEORD. ALARM STOP I'OB CLOCKS. APPLICATION FILED MAY 25, 1908.

' 910,444. Patented Jan. 19, 1-909.

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UNITED STATES PATEN T OFFICE.

FRANK R. ALFORD, OF WINSTEI), CON NFIGTIOUT, ASSIG NOR TO WILLIAM L. GILBERT CLOCK COMPANY, OF WINSTED, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION OF CONNECTICUT.

ALARM-STOP Foa CLOCKS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 19, 1909.

Application filed May 25, 1968. Serial No. 434,903.

To all-whom it may concern."

Be it known that I, FRANK R. ALFORD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Winsted, Litchfield county, State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Alarm-Stops for Clocks, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to improvements in alarm switch mechanism for alarm clocks, and is particularly concerned in the construction and arrangement of a switch, by which the alarm may be thrown into and out of commission.

The object of the invention is the provision of alarm switch mechanism for the purpose indicated whereby a simple and durable construction is attained, and one in which the bending or displacement of operating parts by the pressure of the alarm operating mechanism against the switch may be avoided.

A preferred embodiment of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a rear view of the clock movement showing the invention, the clock case being indicated in dotted outline; Fig. 2 is a plan view ofthe mechanism illustrated in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a detail side view, looking from the right (Fig. 1) of the alarm switch mechanism.

In the embodiment of my invention here illustrated, 1 indicates the clock case in dotted outline.

2 indicates the rear movement-plate upon which is pivoted an escapement arbor 3 of the alarm train. Upon this arbor also is mounted the hammer arm 4 (Fig. 2) of the alarm hammer 5, which cooperates with an alarm bell (not shown) mounted upon the back of the clock.

While the particular construction of alarm operating train here shown forms no part of my invention, the same is illustrated for clearness, and comprises the actuating spring 6 and the train of pinions or crown wheels 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11, the last of which cooperates with the verge 12 on the hammer arbor 3, to actuate the alarm hammer 5.

The alarm switch 13 is pivotally mounted at 14: upon the back movement-plate 2 and is provided with a stop finger 15 (Fig. 2) cooperating with a stop 16, which may be struck up from the movement-plate 2 to limit the movement of the switch to inoperative position. The outer end of the alarm switch is provided with a manually operating connection 17, having the button 18 which projects through a suitable aperture through the top of the case, as indicated in Fig. 1. The outer extremity of the switch is provided with an inturned finger 19 (Figs. 2 and 3) which cooperates with any one of a series of lugs 20, struck up from or carried by the crown wheel 9 of the alarm train, to hold said train and, consequently, alarm hammer operating verge 12 against actuation by the alarm train actuating spring 6.

WVhen the switch 13 is in the upper position, indicated in Fig. 1, due to the pulling out of the hand-button 18, the projection 19 of the switch is out of the path of the lugs 20 on the crown wheel 9, and consequently the alarm train is free for actuation by the spring 6. To throw the alarm train out of operation, the switch may be pressed to itslower position by pressing on the button 18, thus throwing the switch finger 19 into the path of one of the projections 20 upon the crown wheel 9, whereby, upon engagement of one of said projections with the switch finger 19, the alarm train will be held from further operation. The switch projection 19 further performs the function of a stop for the downward movement of the switch arm 13 into operative position, by engagement with the top of the back movement-plate 2.

By the above-described construction any direct stop engagement with the alarm hammer arm, whereby said arm might be bent or otherwise thrown out of commission, is avoided and the operative connection between the switch and the alarm mechanism is effected through parts least likely to get out of order or to suffer injury.

The construction and arrangement of the parts may be altered in detail, as by providing for engagement of the switch with other positively operating portions of the alarm mechanism, without departing from the spirit or scope of my invention, the main object being to effect such engagement in a manner to avoid strain or injury to delicate portions of the operating mechanism.

YVhat I claim is:

1. In an alarm clock, an alarm mechanism, including atrainof crown. wheels, .0116.

on said frame support and one portion of said switch arranged to be moved into and out of the path of movement of said integral-stop shoulders. I v

2. In an alarm clock, an alarm mechanism, including a train of crown wheel's, one of said wheels having a plurality of integral stop shoulders, a frame support for said wheels, a manually operable switch mounted on said frame support, one portion of said switch arranged to be moved into and out of the path of movement of. said integral stop shoulders, said switch arranged to; engage. said frame to. Iimitthe mpt .of. said. switch.

'of said wheels "having "plurality of in tegral stopshoulders, a frame support for said wheels, a manually operable switch mounted on said frame support, one portion of said switch arranged to be moved into and out of the path of movement of said integral stop shoulders, and a switch operating handle projecting through the top of.

the clock.

. FRANK R. ALFORD.

Witnesses:

. HARVEY L. Y SLAUSON,

RUssELL M. WILLIAMS. 

